Domestic violence is a complex problem. Per the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) (2011), domestic violence is defined as” the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another.” Domestic violence can include, but is not limited to, physical or sexual abuse, mental or emotional abuse, financial abuse, elder abuse, threats of violence, or sexual exploitation (Tubman, 2017). Intimate violence is a specific type of domestic violence that includes physical violence on the part of a current or previous intimate relationship partner (Turvey, 2014). The constancy and severity of each
…show more content…
These factors can include but are not limited to the victim loves the abuser and does not want to get him or her into trouble with the law, the victim is embarrassed to let others know that they are being abused, or the victim fears that if they speak up the abuser will retaliate against them (Tubman, 2017). By staying silent individuals who are affected by domestic violence are not able to get out or get help. The families, in many instances, have children who also witness or are part of the abuse. Small children cannot express how the abuse affects them. Older children might not understand what is happening or think it is considered normal behavior. Children might also be afraid of what can happen or are threatened if they tell anyone so they remain silent. In turn, the cycle of abuse repeats itself over and over day after day, year after year, and from generation to …show more content…
The question we must propose is; how can society get victims to say something? While there are laws in place for domestic violence, they are not consistent or even at times looked at seriously. We have not been able to change the mindset that it is not acceptable to beat up our significant others or children (O’Neill, 2016). The key is to change people’s attitudes towards domestic violence. Domestic violence needs to be looked at as culturally inappropriate and taken seriously (O’Neill, 2016). There is also need for leaders and men to speak out instead of staying silent. Katz (2012), argues that we need to get men who are not abusive to challenge men who are abusing women to say something. This goes beyond physical abuse. If a guy is with his male friends and one of them makes an inappropriate comment about women instead of laughing at it or staying silent he needs to tell them to stop (Katz, 2012). Katz (2012), says that if you remain silent you are consenting to the behavior as being acceptable. If men speak up others will see that this behavior is wrong and unacceptable. If society can come to a place where boys, young adult males, and men will lose their status as a result from their behavior it could greatly reduce or even eliminate the violent behaviors (Katz,
These factors can include but are not limited to the victim loves the abuser and does not want to get him or her into trouble with the law, the victim is embarrassed to let others know that they are being abused, or the victim fears that if they speak up the abuser will retaliate against them (Tubman, 2017). By staying silent individuals who are affected by domestic violence are not able to get out or get help. The families, in many instances, have children who also witness or are part of the abuse. Small children cannot express how the abuse affects them. Older children might not understand what is happening or think it is considered normal behavior. Children might also be afraid of what can happen or are threatened if they tell anyone so they remain silent. In turn, the cycle of abuse repeats itself over and over day after day, year after year, and from generation to …show more content…
The question we must propose is; how can society get victims to say something? While there are laws in place for domestic violence, they are not consistent or even at times looked at seriously. We have not been able to change the mindset that it is not acceptable to beat up our significant others or children (O’Neill, 2016). The key is to change people’s attitudes towards domestic violence. Domestic violence needs to be looked at as culturally inappropriate and taken seriously (O’Neill, 2016). There is also need for leaders and men to speak out instead of staying silent. Katz (2012), argues that we need to get men who are not abusive to challenge men who are abusing women to say something. This goes beyond physical abuse. If a guy is with his male friends and one of them makes an inappropriate comment about women instead of laughing at it or staying silent he needs to tell them to stop (Katz, 2012). Katz (2012), says that if you remain silent you are consenting to the behavior as being acceptable. If men speak up others will see that this behavior is wrong and unacceptable. If society can come to a place where boys, young adult males, and men will lose their status as a result from their behavior it could greatly reduce or even eliminate the violent behaviors (Katz,